The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-22

Chris were actpatod BY envy,
and that they really had no
case sgainst him. In this view Of the
case he was altogether disposed TO 70
lease the prisoner. But he was deal.
ing with INSCRIPTIONS mon who had
decided beforehand to have the Ga.
viof's blood, and the law and
the facts In the csse were not
to stand between Thorn and the pur-
pose before them. They were deter.
mined that Plate should condemn the
prisoner to death. This placed the
ruler In very awkward position. He
was politician and wanted to please
the populace, and thus strengthen
himself In bis Office. PLATE knew that
displeasing the Jews would weaken
the tenure by which he held his Office.
Thus two courses we're open before
him, duty and conscience pointing 10
one direction, while the rabbIe urged
him the other way. Plate was not
master OF the situation. He wanted 10
do justice to bis prisoner, bat he also
wanted to please the Jews.
There are men In official positions
In this country today, to associate with
whom would be disgrace to Plate.
He desired to do right, but there are
men In flee today who, In certain
cases, have no desire to do right what
ever. Instead Of using their offices to
further the interests OF the right, they
prostitute them 10 the furtherance OF
their own selHsh or pc.
litical ends. A certain end
must be accomplished, and II the &C.
complishment Of that end requires the
adoption OF unfair and ubiquitous
means, such means must be adopted,
even II osths have to be broken and
official robes dragged through
the mire. IL common and
persistent rumor 10 to be believed,
such things are constantly going on In
this country. Ny opinion 10 that Pi.
late would scorn 10 use the machinery
Of court 10 thwart the will
Of the people OF the polls, and an
officer that will do that-snd am
told that Il has been done again and
again right here In Memphis-is 80
much worse than Plate that the two
ought not 10 mentioned the came day.
Such things are Q burning disgrace to
our civilization and q standing menace
10 our civil Institutions, and q govern.
ment whose affairs are conducted on
that plane cannot stand, and II the
trickster Is not speedily eliminated
from the politics oil our country the
81 )remscy Of anarchy Is merely q
question Of little time.
During the proceedings that were
carried ON before Plate, he heard
some one call Jesus q Galileean, and
= happy thought came into his mind.
He saw q chance 10 throw the re-
sponsibility OF the trial Of Jesus upon
snoiher, and thus extricate himself
from very unpleasant position. 1t
occurred to Plate that Jesus, II he
were from Galilee. belonged TO
Herod'e Jurisdiction, and 90 Hsioi
was In Jerusalem nc that time, PLATE
forthwith sent Jesus 10 him, hoping
thereby 10 get rid OF q troublesome
case. This circumstance was crafty
ing TO Herod, for he had heard many
things abou, Chrit. and for a long
time he had desir, d to see him. Til q
was the same Herod who had impris.
oned John the Baptist, and faally
caused him 10 be beheaded at the
inslieation Of his brother Phillips
wife, whom he had improperly taken
TO be his own wife. John was bold
enough TO rebuks Herod for his
improper conduct In this regard, and
II cost him his life.
But the meeting was by no meant
Satisfactory to Herod, for the Savior
preserved perfect silence In bis pres
once. declining 10 answer his ques
lions and refusing 10 perform am
miracle before him. This brings Out
q feature In the character OF Chrisi
that 10 too generally overlooked, 10
Wit: His profound self respect. He
declined 10 10 on exhibition lust TO
eratiiy the curiosity Of an iDsincers
man. He knew wnat Hsrod's mo.
tives were In desiring 10 see him, and
he knew that those motives did not
move upon the plane OF bis mission
Into this world. He came into the
world 10 reform tho lives Of sinful
men, and turn them from sin 10 right.
eoutnese; and he never let an
opportunity 10 work along
this line escape. But Herod
had no desire or pm pore 10 reform his
sinful life; he had no disposition 10
turn 70 righteousness. He wanted 10
SEQ Christ timply a. q matter OF idle
curiosity, and the Master bad too much
self rttptct 10 allow Himself TO be
used In that way; and &c HsIoa's Gu.
riosity was disappointed, lac snd his
eoldierB treated Jeeus with much In.
dignity, and returned him 10 Plate,
who finally permitted nelf.interest 10
Shove by Justice" aud turned Jesus
over 10 his enemies that they might
cruelty Him, saying at the tame time
that he found no fault In Him. And
thus ended the moet remarkable trav.
eoiy upon justice 10 be found In the
annals OF time.
Cumberlana Presbytsrfss Chu, en-